Folding implement



Oct. 27, 1931. A. F. SHAFTER FOLDING IMPLEMENT Filed Jan. 4, 1930 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 27, 1931 I}UNITED:

PATENT OFFICE anotrnfr sner'rnn, OEDECATUR, ILLINOIS, nssrenon To U. s; MANUFACTURING oonrom'rron, or nncnrunv lnnnvolsn CORPORATION or rumors FOLDING IMPLEMENT Application filed; January4, 1930. Serial No. 418,484.-

This invention relates to improvements in folding V or knockdown implements or utensils and relates primarily to devices of that kind which are of considerable length and which present diificulties in shipment.

The embodiment of this invention discloses a fork for use in kitchens and in connection with cooking generally. The purpose is to provide an elongated utensil of this character which is of sufficient length and which may be knocked down and folded so as to be conveniently shipped and in which the sharp ends or tines are protected so as to prevent piercing the shipping carton or package.

A further object of this invention includes the provision of such an implement which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, easy to knock down and fold and easy to pack and ship.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, referones being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which show, merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of my invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims with-' out digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a device constructed to embody my invention shown in its extended form.

Figure 2 is a view of the device shown in Figure 1 in its knockdown or folded form ready to be inserted in a carton .or other shipping package.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 1 to show the method in which the extension part of the implement is positioned within the handle part of the same.

Figure 4 represents a vertical transverse cross section taken substantially on line 4;4

of Figure 2.

This portion; of the implement is preferably and parallel to th'e major portion of the ban Referring now to the drawings the numeral 1 designatesthe' handle portion of the=implement. provided at one end with the gripping element 2 and provided at its other end with therecessorsocketfi protected by a suitable i ferrule or. cap 4.

The extensionport ion of the implement or utensil'is designated 5 and is shown in the formof a fork having; the usual prongs or tines 6: and having the elongated portion- 7 terminatingin: a looped end 8-. This looped end is of. substantial length: and has'parallel portions-'9 suitably spaced apart and joined at the end by the rounded end: portion 10.

1C formedofaone piece as clearly shown in Figure The loopedend 8- is adapted to be forcedrintathe recess or socket 3 in the end ofthe handle portion andsecurely held therein' byfriction, the sizes of these parts being such as tosbest accomplishthis purpose.

A; loop: member 11 is secured preferably into. the; end. ofthe'handle'member 1 adjacent thesocket or'recess ii andthisloop member hasaportionlit-extending beyondthe edge of the-endof the-handle part; This loop memberfits between' the two parallel portions 9 of the-loop 8: of the extension part 50f the implement. and, consequently, when the parts are in. extended position this loop element D assists=in holdingthe parts. When it is desired to separaite the parts to put the implement away or ship it, thGBX-tB-IISlOII part 5 is removed? from therecess or socket and the 'l'ooped'l end 8: thereof is swung around the '8 loopmembenll as a pivot orhinge. The end of the loopS engages within the extension 12 of loop meinber 11 sotliat the major portion of the extension member 7'ispositioned along dle part lythe tines-or prongs resting against the grippmg; element 2, as clearly shown in Figure'Q. This gripping element'Q, of course,

is ofJs-ufiicient size to insure that the prongs or: tines-'donot proj'ectbeyond the sides thereof; Suitable means'is provided for holding the parts in this knockdown or folded positiom. One form of such-means isillustrated and constitutes a ring 13' slidably mounted on thehandlepartd and having 'the 'upward- 60 sion member may be folded b ack' upon said V ly and laterally extending locking projection 14, which is adapted to'fit over and engage the elongated part 7 of the extension member 5, as clearly shown in Figure 4. This '1 engagement is frictional and is suificiently 7 strong to hold the prongs or tines of the fork against the gripping element 2 and prevent disarrangement during the shipping .orstorage, Of course, the movement of the ring V extension member formed with a loopat its inner end embracing the said loop element andto'frictionally fit within the socket in d the handle member, said extension of the loop 8 element cooperating with the end of the loop r of the extension member to provide a hinge to one sided the handle member so that the said handle member and the extensionvmemher may be folded back upon said handle position andextending beyond theiedge thereof, an

same end, an extension member provided with prongs or tines at one end and a loop at the other end adapted to frictionally fit within the socket in said handle member. and also embrace the loop element on the endthereof, the loop element and the loop of the extension member co-operating to provide a' hinge construction, whereby the loop of the extension membermay be withdrawn from thesocket in member, and means for holding the extension member when in folded position in close contact with said handle. member; 7 V

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I m

have hereunto set my hand this 24th dayof December, 1929. V V p V I .ADOL H SHAFTER.v

extension member can be folded back upon I the handle member I 2 rftork including, in combination, a handle member having a socketat one end and also having a loop hinge element at theisame end, 'anextension member provided with prongs or tines at one end and a loop at the, other end adapted 'to-frictionallyi fit within the socket in the handle member and also embrace the loop element on the end thereof,

the loop element andthe loop of the extension member cooperatingto provide a hinge 7 back upon thefhandle member, said handle member being provided with an enlarged whereby the extension'membe'r maybe folded J grip with which the lprongs or tines-of the extension member'engage whenin foldedvposimember in association with the handle memtion, and-'means for holding the extension ;Q

her with the tines or prongs on opposite sides v ofthe gripping-element. v r

3.- A device of the characterdescribed including a handle member having a socket at same end, an extension member provided with a loop at one end adapted to frictionally vfit within the socket in the handle member and also embrace the loop element onthe end thereof, theloop element and the loop of the extension member co operating to provide a hinged construction fwhereby theloop of the extension member may be removed from the socket in said handle member and the extenhandle membl'. f"' v H 4. A fork including, in combinationfa handle-member having a socket onrone end and also having a 'loop hinge elementat: the

one endand also'a loop hingeelement at thellfl 

